Top Eight Highlights Of Sydney Mardi Gras Festival 2015

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Co-Chairs – Fran Bowron and Paul Savage– state that this festival is all about passion. It encourages everyone to feed passion, explore passion, and express passion in everything that you do. Not only this, both them and thousands of others believe that passion is what drives us, connects us, inspires us and most importantly makes us an unstoppable force. This is what the Mardi Gras Festival 2015 is all about. Here are the top eight highlights from this year’s program, filled with all the fun, thought-provoking events from the famous LGBTQI festival.

Happy Mardi Gras! Photographic Exhibition

What better way to start this famous festival, than looking at the history of it? Using photos to document the last two decades of the Mardi Gras Festival, this photographic exhibition is a great way to find out the struggle this event has had to overcome, but also seeing all the happy things it’s brought to people. The included photos document the protest, parties, fair and general fun that comes with this festival. Held at the Surry Hills Library from 3rd February – 23rd March.

Queer Thinking

Running on Saturday 21st February in the Seymour Centre, Queer Thinking will discuss, think and look at everything that matters to the community, including the ideas, literature, film, academia and culture of LGBTQI.

Fair Day

On Sunday 22nd February, join up to 80,000 people in the sunshine of Victoria Park and each other’s company. With market stalls selling loads of bit and pieces as well as gourmet food, you can listen to live music, watch comedy, or just chill with friends for the day. This is a great day out for anyone who wants to take a step away from all the glamour and glitz this festival has to offer.

Bianca del Rio

Dubbed the new Joan Rivers, Bianca del Rio is one fabulous drag artist, famous for winning Ru Paul’s drag race season. She will be gracing the stage at Sydney Theatre for one fiercely fantastic show that guarantees high quality comedy with special guest Courtney Act. Come watch her do her thing on 27th February, to see what a drag performance is really all about.

Mardi Gras Film Festival

Everyone should find the time to pop down to the film festival during Mardi Gras. Held by Queer Screen from 19th February – 5th March at Event Cinemas George Street, it offers a wide range of differing films from crime and romance, as well as the opportunity relive and celebrate LGBTQI’s greatest achievements in film. It’s definitely worth a visit.

Pool Party

If you’re wanting to take a break from all the festival vibes but continue partying and celebrating, the pool party is right up your street. Held at the ivy on 2nd March, you’re invited to sit in private cabanas and listen to live music through underwater speakers. It’s a welcome and fun break from all the main events.

The 37th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Parade

There’s never been a more perfect way to round off this amazing festival. This year, the parade takes place on Saturday 7th March through Oxford and Flinders Streets, and will involve celebrity hosts, live music and screens, bars and food, so you can get involved or sit back and relax as all the festivities roll on. Either way, make sure you celebrate this spectacular festival finish in style.

The Laneway

The party to end the party, on Sunday 8th March the Mardi Gras Festival goes out with a bang with The Laneway. Taking over Hill Street between The Beresford Hotel and The Flinders Hotel, the closing party promises to hold top DJs performing live, diva drop-ins, pop-up drags, and the opportunity to party inside and outside.